Gold Coast tuna fishermen all at sea after learning they will lose their docking facilities

The future of the city’s commercial fishing industry is under serious threat as The Spit gets redeveloped, warns a community group. Find out why

The future of the city’s commercial fishing industry is under threat with the tuna fleet destined to lose its docking wharf as The Spit gets redeveloped, warns a community group.

The Main Beach Association says dozens of fishermen will lose jobs, with residents and tourists prevented from accessing fresh seafood direct from their trawlers.

But State Development Minister Grace Grace vows to support fishermen as her government negotiates redevelopment of Peter’s Fish Markets at Carter’s Basin.

“I’ve met with representatives from the Gold Coast fishing industry and assured them we will support them to keep operating from Carter’s Basin,” Ms Grace said.

Grace Grace — met with Gold Coast trawler operators. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail.

Work is expected to begin next year on transforming the market into a restaurant, function centre and new seafood shop, preventing access to a docking facility for tuna operators.

Emails seen by the Bulletin confirm negotiations with the Fisherman’s Co-op have been ongoing since August 2021 about structural investigations and limits on the useable life of the wharf.

Department officers advised “there may be a period between the removal of the old wharf and construction of a new unloading facility” where members seek temporary lifting options.

The Co-op has informed the Government there are no such facilities available. Department officers say they are seeking technical advice from the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

The state government has provided the Market with consent to develop their new base but wharf removal will require a separate council application.

MBA leader Sue Donovan fears the Co-op will be “the casualty of this government’s

desire to chase the next development dollar”. About 700 people in 24 hours had earlier signed a petition to save the trawler fleet.

“Since 1970, the fishing fleet has occupied its site in Carter’s Basin. In 2004, the fishing fleet commenced selling fresh, local seafood direct from the boats with an estimated 250,000 customers annually,” she said.

“The Co-op provides a unique and authentic ocean-to-table experience - they sell only what they catch which makes for a sustainable seafood industry - 18 boats, 12 families, three generations. The Co-op is up there with Queensland’s most successful primary producers.

Leader of the Main Beach Association, Sue Donovan — fears for the future of the trawler fleet. Picture Glenn Hampson.

“Because no middleman is involved, customers can buy top quality seafood at reasonable prices. In 2023 the volume of seafood sold was 900 tonnes with estimated sales of

$20 million - $9 million of these sales came from tuna exports, mainly to the USA.”

Ms Donovan said State Development in January sought Expressions of Interest (EOI) from developers for the land and seabed leased by the Co-op at Carters Basin.

“This EOI closed on March 4. The Co-op was informed a shortlist of preferred tenderers would be finalised by May. However, three months have passed with no shortlist having been announced,” she said.

Artist impression of the redeveloped Peter's Fish Market on The Spit

Ms Grace said the wharf has not been destroyed and it would continue to serve as an offloading facility for local tuna trawlers.

“We recognise the wharf will need to be replaced when the redevelopment gets underway and we are supporting the industry to plan ahead for this transition period,” she said.

“We’re working closely with industry to identify alternative offloading facilities when redevelopment works commence.

“Gold Coast Council shares the vision in the Master Plan for Carter’s Basin and this exciting redevelopment is the first step which will breathe new life into the iconic Gold Coast Spit.”

Surfers Paradise LNP MP John-Paul Langbroek said it was critical to maintain the fleet for its historical value and importance to tourism.

Artist impression of the redeveloped Peter's Fish Market on The Spit

“As Member for Surfers Paradise, it’s disappointing to hear of the apparent lack of resolution of this issue by the Brisbane Labor Government, especially since Minister Grace Grace publicly expressed support for the fishing fleet’s future a few months ago,” he said.

“I intend to raise this issue at the next sitting in the Queensland Parliament.”

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Originally published as Gold Coast tuna fishermen all at sea after learning they will lose their docking facilities